SLS 15RS-2528 ORIGINAL
2015 Regular Session
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 161
BY SENATOR MURRAY
COMMENDATIONS. Commends Ronald Mason, President of the Southern University and
A&M College System.
1 A RESOLUTION
2 To commend Ronald Mason Jr., President of the Southern University and A&M College
3 System, for his outstanding accomplishments, his years of public service, and his
4 singular contributions to postsecondary education.
5 WHEREAS, it is appropriate to commend Ronald Mason as president of the Southern
6 University system, a position in which he has served with great honor and distinction since
7 2010, providing oversight for all five campuses in the system; and
8 WHEREAS, President Mason brings nearly thirty-five years of experience in the
9 areas of higher education management, astute legal representation, public policy, community
10 development coordination, and urban renewal; and
11 WHEREAS, a native son of Louisiana, Ronald Mason holds impeccable academic
12 credentials that include graduation from Jesuit High School in New Orleans, a bachelor of
13 arts degree from Columbia University, a juris doctorate from Columbia Law School, and an
14 advanced degree from the Institute of Educational Management at Harvard University; and
15 WHEREAS, at Tulane University, Mason served for seventeen years in a variety of
16 administrative positions including legal advisor, senior vice president, and vice president in
17 charge of finance and operations; this skill set provided the springboard to his illustrious
18 career of leadership in higher education; and
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SLS 15RS-2528 ORIGINAL
1 WHEREAS, Ronald Mason has been the recipient of prestigious awards that include
2 the Mayor's Medal of Honor from the city of New Orleans, the Martin Luther King Lifetime
3 Achievement Award from Dillard, Loyola, Tulane, and Xavier universities, and the
4 Columbia University John Jay Award for distinguished professional achievement; and
5 WHEREAS, he is a member of civic organizations in New Orleans such as the
6 Fellowship Foundation, the Metropolitan Area Committee, the Southern Development
7 Foundation, the New Orleans Jobs Initiative, and the Southern Institute for Education and
8 Research; and
9 WHEREAS, previous to his administrative duties at Southern University, Mason
10 served as president of Jackson State University in Mississippi; and
11 WHEREAS, Ronald Mason served the state with great distinction, unquestionably
12 improving all aspects of Southern University and as an engaging educator and administrator
13 most certainly will provide remarkable leadership and talent as he takes his place at his next
14 position as President of the University of the District of Columbia later this year; and
15 WHEREAS, Ronald Mason merits the highest commendation for the indelible mark
16 he leaves on Southern University, the Southern University system, and on countless students,
17 faculty, and staff.
18 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
19 does hereby commend Ronald Mason Jr., President of the Southern University and A&M
20 College system for his outstanding accomplishments, his years of service, and his singular
21 contributions to the betterment of postsecondary education as a whole.
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does
23 hereby congratulate Mr. Mason and convey best wishes for continued success and happiness
24 in all of his future endeavors.
25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to
26 Ronald Mason, President of Southern University and A&M College System.
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SLS 15RS-2528 ORIGINAL
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Susan P. Montague.
DIGEST
SR 161 Original 2015 Regular Session Murray
Commends Ronald Mason, President of Southern University and A,&M. College System.
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